This is the weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post (similar to the "Off On A Tangent"
posts), where we can share our finds from other
retailers that have offerings similar to J.Crew
(like Anthropologie, LE Canvas, Gap, BR, Talbots, Ann
Taylor, and the like.)

If you
have recently encountered items that are similar to
J.Crew, maybe you might be
willing to share that information with us
in this post.

Please feel
free to share your story on almost any topic—
including experiences with certain merchandise pieces,
promotions/ offers, in-store visits,
transactions with store associates, etc.

Monday, July 29, 2013

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share
among
yourselves. This post is where you can
mention your items and
outside listing/ auction site (like eBay
and eCrater & the
corresponding user ID).

Please note: this posting is not for resellers, retailers or businesses.If
you are a reseller, retailer,
or a business, your comment gets
automatically deleted & you will get
publicly called out on it. :( So
instead of this, simply do not post in
the Weekly Exchanges. Thanks in
advance for your cooperation! :)
Please note that any transactions are independent
of this blog.
(Especially since you will be using
an outside listing/ auction
site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no
dealings or interactions with
any of the potential
communication, listings, or
transactions. :) Moreover, please limit
comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great
(Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do
you have any
items you would like to
swap/sell/share among yourselves
through your outside listing/auction
site?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment?
It just means they are
subscribing to all the
comments (which are then automatically sent to
their email) in that
particular thread. This way they can
stay aware of all the comments
posted. :)

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who are looking for and interested in buying certain items.
Please feel free to
share a J.Crew store location
and/or your outside listing/ auction
site if it matches the requests made
in this post.

Please note: this posting is not for resellers, retailers or businesses.If
you are a reseller,
retailer, or a business, your comment gets
automatically deleted & you
will get publicly called out on it.
:( So instead of this, simply do not
post in the Weekly Exchanges.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
:)
Also note that any transactions are independent
of this blog.
(Especially since you will be using an
outside listing/ auction site
like eBay or eCrater.) I have no
dealings or interactions
with any of the potential
communication, listings, or
transactions. :) Moreover, please limit
comments about items to
swap/sell/share/finding to the
"Great (Weekly) Exchange"
posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale
items at our
various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If
you are stopped
by a J.Crew store this past weekend
to see what's available (if
anything!) in the SUMMERsale, or to see some new SUMMERarrivals
{sigh!} in person, maybe you
might be willing to
share that with us in this post. In
particular, if you could share
with us a few of the noteworthy items
that are available, at what
prices, and potential sizes the
store is carrying (as well as the
store location)- that would be
fantastic!

Also, please
let us know if your local store
was/ is carrying an additional
percent off sale. Thanks in
advance!!! :)

Friday, July 26, 2013

"Thanks!" to so many of you, including cc & Jayna W (in this post), Disco George (in this post), as well as Chanie and Yossi, & Reedandbamboo , for letting us know about two related articles dealing with our favorite retailer.

The first article is from Forbes (click here to read in its entirety) and its about a particular customer questioning J.Crew's recent styling direction. The following is an excerpt:

...Drexler had gone to some effort to talk with my wife. After emailing a response note in less than 24 hours, he and J. Crew President, Libby Wadle, left a voice mail with cell phone numbers and then took her call when she rang back. In other words, Mickey Drexler went out of his way to do what an unfortunately small number of CEOs practice – he went the extra mile to get direct customer feedback

...The email from my wife that set this in motion was clearly well-intentioned but had a stinging critique of the company’s fall/holiday collection that she had seen in a preview sent to certain customers. She had written the kind of email you assume goes into a black box and will never be read by an actual decision maker. Perhaps that was why my wife let fly some of the pointed candor usually reserved just for me. “I am so disheartened and disappointed that you are leaving your core values and styling and abandoning your loyal customers,” she wrote. “I would have thought you had learned your lesson at the Gap!! Why mess with these iconic brands and change them into something they’re not?” Ouch.

...J. Crew’s leadership team proceeded to ask what my wife liked and didn’t like about the company’s styling, as well as what was missing in her opinion. They listened intently and respectfully while politely noting that the preview photos my wife had seen had been taken from a fashion show so gave a different brand impression than regular customers may have anticipated. Drexler also stood his ground on the need to continue evolving the company’s style as competitors attempt to copy its success. He went on to say, however, that in the company’s desire to embrace change, the team also shared the view that some of the styling had perhaps strayed too far from the classics and brand messaging for which J. Crew had become known. Drexler’s views had been shaped, in part, by his recent trip to stores with Wadle so he could hear firsthand from customers and frontline sales associates. “We are on it for sure,” he later emailed my wife. “I hope you see a difference this fall.”

...Drexler not only pays attention to what customers are saying but also unabashedly acts on it, never apologizing for getting involved in the minutia of business operations. He will be the first to say that attention to detail is crucial for creating a product and brand experience that makes customers care enough to write those nasty letters in the first place. “Ask your customers if they’d like you to micromanage,” he once said in response to those who criticize his hands-on style. Yes, Mickey, we like it.

The second article is from Racked (click here to read in its entirety) and it picks up on the Forbes article. The following is another excerpt:

...Two things that happen next are of interest. First, Drexler actually called DeRose's wife to hear directly from her what she liked and didn't like about the line (which, while unconventional, isn't so surprising. Drexler is an unapologetic micro-manager of legendary status). And second, he admitted J.Crew may be going too far in some of their styling. Which is a bit of a surprise.

Mrs. DeRose's perspective is not one we come across too frequently in world of fashion journalism. The fashion media applauds the excitement Jenna Lyons has injected into the brand with her distinctive preppy-chic point of view, and Racked readers, at least, tend to agree with the media. J.Crew's New York Fashion Week shows are by far the most popular shows of each runway season on Racked.

But Mrs. DeRose has an interesting point. If, say, you're a stay-at-home mom with a couple of teenagers to look after (and, for sake of argument, you don't happen to be Michelle Obama), print mixing and pops of color may not be your thing. J.Crew used to have something to offer that customer. Do they still? Judging from the brand's current homepage, which pictures a grid of several windblown models in styles like peter pan collars, pajama tops, printed pants, and office-ready dress shorts, maybe not....

I think it is great that Mickey reached out to a customer, Mrs. DeRose, who expressed some dissatisfaction. It speaks volumes about the company who really does want to take care of their clients. Kuddos to J.Crew!

As for the content of the articles... DeRose speaks for many of us who think some of the styling of J.Crew can be too "aspirational" for its core customer at times. It is a topic that has long been discussed on this blog. Back in 2008/2009- we started seeing crazy layering (like 4-5 visible tops with a pair of shorts- um, okay) to funky pattern matching as of late (which Jenna Lyons loves to wear and can pull off, but not so much the rest of us). How many of us talked about tagging most of the pages in J.Crew's past catalogs (to purchase and wear entire outfits), only to see a few tags present in the current years? While at it, how many of us talk about a visible decrease in quality with an equally visible increase in price? (It be nice to machine wash $40 tee shirts without wondering if holes along the seams will appear.)

It's great that J.Crew is doing so well and repositioning themselves in the upper echelons of the fashion industry. Thanks to those moves, J.Crew is still offering pieces that I have to own and causing their competitors to copy them. However, the fact remains that J.Crew is not a premier luxury fashion brand (a la Stella McCartney, DVF, etc.) So it would be smart for J.Crew to still keep one foot in the classic clothing realm while one foot is in the fashion forward realm to explore the latest trends. (In other words, J.Crew don't get rid of what you do best like the Pixie Pants and the button down shirts! And please J.Crew, don't reduce quality, especially if you are increasing the base price!)

I also do think J.Crew is "coming back home". They are trying to offer pieces for their existing clients- pieces that they have been known for. For example, we have seen several prints (like the Regatta) from J.Crew of y'ore appear in the latest roll outs. Moreover, they have brought back a lot of the hacking jacket details this year and last year (like the ornate enamel buttons) that were missing since 2009. So for that, I give them credit (and I thank them!) They are listening.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with J.Crew's current direction? Do you hope for changes? If so, what kind?

"Thanks!" to Aderonke, as well as AddyO (in this
post), who let us know that J.Crew will be hosting another Sample Sale
this weekend! Lots of merchandise for men, women, and the kids! Plus, a
bit of Madewell stuff will be thrown into the mix.

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale
items at our
various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If
you are stopping
by a J.Crew store this weekend to see
what's available (if
anything!) in theSUMMERsale, or to see some newSUMMER
arrivals {sigh!} in
person, maybe you might be
willing to share that with us in this
post. In particular, if you could
share with us a few of the
noteworthy items that are available, at
what prices, and potential sizes
the store is carrying (as well
as the store location)- that would be
fantastic!

Also,
please let us know if your local store is
carrying an additional percent
off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S.
I noticed that many of
you have already been reporting sale
items (and in which stores) in
other posts which by the way "thank
you!" :) I really appreciate how
helpful we are for each other!

This is the weekly "Help Style Me!" post, where we can share items we are having trouble putting outfits together with. Elaine (in this
post) says it best, "You know, that thing you
bought because you love it and you keep pulling it
out and then putting it away without wearing it?"

Please
share your J.Crew item (either that you own or
are thinking about getting) that you would love help
creating an outfit with.

Also,
please help out by offering your styling advice. Feel
free to include links to your blog (where you
incorporated that piece) or to Polyvore (where you
showcased an outfit with that piece). Thanks in advance!
:)

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

"Thanks!" to many of you, who let us know that J.Crew had an update to its website (click here to view online).

There are some new arrivals for men(click here) & women (click here). {wahoo!} It looks like Crewcuts (click here) has been updated, but not the J.Crew Collection (click here).

The latest August catalog (click here to view) is not yet available to view. Although it is already being sent out to customers in the mail (and available in many brick & mortar stores).

Fall is my favorite season when it comes to offerings at J.Crew. Initial impression is that some of the items are slight variations from offerings in the past. With that said, I am excited about the new Schoolboy Blazer coming in a longer silhouette. It appears to have more of a Hacking Jacket length which I appreciate. J.Crew has also issued a few versions of the peter pan collar cotton top. With that said, I really like the new Tipped Silk Collar Top (item 04691; $75.00).

J.Crew is also offering customers to take an additional 40% off all sale items (no min) with promo code STYLE40. Yey! This code expires August 4, 2013. Plus, J.Crew is offering free shipping (no min) for all orders placed today, July 24, 2013. This is a great offer we don't get to see too often! Interesting enough, there was a big update today and the merchandise is not moving that quickly. Does that mean we will be seeing lower prices and/ or more promotions?

What items are you most excited
about and why? Which items are you surprised (or not surprised) to
see? Which items did you hope would be included? Were you
expecting a bigger roll-out today? Also, did you receive the
latest catalog? :)

This is the weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post (similar to the "Off On A Tangent"
posts), where we can share our finds from other
retailers that have offerings similar to J.Crew
(like Anthropologie, LE Canvas, Gap, BR, Talbots, Ann
Taylor, and the like.)

If you
have recently encountered items that are similar to
J.Crew, maybe you might be
willing to share that information with us
in this post.

Please feel
free to share your story on almost any topic—
including experiences with certain merchandise pieces,
promotions/ offers, in-store visits,
transactions with store associates, etc.

A big "thanks!" to Rosie (in this post), who shared the following information and offer relating to RueLaLa (RLL), an invitation only sample sale website.

RueLaLa (click here) is offering customers to enroll in their Rue 365 membership for $100. In return, customers get free shipping for a year and two $50 gift cards to a variety of retailers (including J.Crew, Madewell, as well as others like Tory Burch or Vineyard Vines).

If you are a fan of RLL, this looks to be a pretty good deal as you are essentially getting free shipping for a year with them.Will you take advantage of this offer from RueLaLa? Are you a fan of RLL?

Monday, July 22, 2013

A big "thanks!" to Slastena, (check out her {amazing} About All and Nothing at All blog), who shared more sneak peeks from the upcoming August catalog with us. {yey!} Just click on the image to view it larger.

The word from fellow JCAs is that the new arrivals will hit store shelves today and online this Wednesday. The catalog/ style guide will be arriving in customers' mailboxes starting this week too.

Personally, I am excited about the new arrivals- the Fall season tends to be the best season of offerings from J.Crew.

What are your thoughts? Do you know when
the newest arrivals are expected to be available? Are you looking
forward to the upcoming new arrivals?

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share
among
yourselves. This post is where you can
mention your items and
outside listing/ auction site (like eBay
and eCrater & the
corresponding user ID).

Please note: this posting is not for resellers, retailers or businesses.If
you are a reseller, retailer,
or a business, your comment gets
automatically deleted & you will get
publicly called out on it. :( So
instead of this, simply do not post in
the Weekly Exchanges. Thanks in
advance for your cooperation! :)
Please note that any transactions are independent
of this blog.
(Especially since you will be using
an outside listing/ auction
site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no
dealings or interactions with
any of the potential
communication, listings, or
transactions. :) Moreover, please limit
comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great
(Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do
you have any
items you would like to
swap/sell/share among yourselves
through your outside listing/auction
site?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment?
It just means they are
subscribing to all the
comments (which are then automatically sent to
their email) in that
particular thread. This way they can
stay aware of all the comments
posted. :)

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who are looking for and interested in buying certain items.
Please feel free to
share a J.Crew store location
and/or your outside listing/ auction
site if it matches the requests made
in this post.

Please note: this posting is not for resellers, retailers or businesses.If
you are a reseller,
retailer, or a business, your comment gets
automatically deleted & you
will get publicly called out on it.
:( So instead of this, simply do not
post in the Weekly Exchanges.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
:)
Also note that any transactions are independent
of this blog.
(Especially since you will be using an
outside listing/ auction site
like eBay or eCrater.) I have no
dealings or interactions
with any of the potential
communication, listings, or
transactions. :) Moreover, please limit
comments about items to
swap/sell/share/finding to the
"Great (Weekly) Exchange"
posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale
items at our
various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If
you are stopped
by a J.Crew store this past weekend
to see what's available (if
anything!) in the SUMMERsale, or to see some new SUMMERarrivals
{sigh!} in person, maybe you
might be willing to
share that with us in this post. In
particular, if you could share
with us a few of the noteworthy items
that are available, at what
prices, and potential sizes the
store is carrying (as well as the
store location)- that would be
fantastic!

Also, please
let us know if your local store
was/ is carrying an additional
percent off sale. Thanks in
advance!!! :)

Saturday, July 20, 2013

J.Crew is
offering up to 50% off select styles for Women, Men, and Crewcuts. No promotional code is needed as prices are automatically adjusted. The fine print includes:

*Prices as marked reflect discount. Valid on purchases of Instant Gratification Sale styles at jcrew.com from July 20, 2013, 12:01am ET through July 23, 2013, 11:59pm ET. Not valid in J.Crew or J.Crew Factory stores, at jcrewfactory.com or on phone orders. Cannot be applied to previous purchases or the purchase of gift cards and cannot be redeemed for cash. Not valid on Collection styles, Ludlow styles or third-party branded merchandise. Select styles and colors are final sale. Terms of offer are subject to change.

I am surprised to see this kind of promotion back at J.Crew. We normally do not get to see to many offers for full priced merchandise. (Well recently we have seen a bit more, but not normally.)

J.Crew has a nice update to their Summer FINAL Sale (click here
to shop online) section online this morning. Lots of merchandise for everyone (1380+ for Women and 465+ for Men). Yey! Although merchandise is not clearing out like it should... Makes me wonder if J.Crew will offer another additional percent off sale soon.

Will you be taking advantage of this latest promotion? What are your thoughts on this sale? What do you think J.Crew should do to move out their Summer items?

Friday, July 19, 2013

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale
items at our
various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If
you are stopping
by a J.Crew store this weekend to see
what's available (if
anything!) in theSUMMERsale, or to see some newSUMMER
arrivals {sigh!} in
person, maybe you might be
willing to share that with us in this
post. In particular, if you could
share with us a few of the
noteworthy items that are available, at
what prices, and potential sizes
the store is carrying (as well
as the store location)- that would be
fantastic!

Also,
please let us know if your local store is
carrying an additional percent
off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S.
I noticed that many of
you have already been reporting sale
items (and in which stores) in
other posts which by the way "thank
you!" :) I really appreciate how
helpful we are for each other!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

"Thanks!" to many of you, including A, as well as Suzy (in this post), who shared the following email and information from J.Crew today.

J.Crew is asking their customers what they think about our favorite retailer. A shares that the email asks customers to answer a few questions including the (1) basics like demographics (gender, income, age) as well as competitors customers shop at; (2) shopping habits (how much spent in last 6 months at J.Crew); (3) about J.Crew (like why didn't customers make a purchase, quality of J.Crew).

After completing the survey, the survey said it was "closed". Perhaps the max capacity of customers needed to take the survey was reached?

It will be interesting to see if anything comes out of this marketing method... Did you get this email from J.Crew? Have you already answered the survey questions? What are your thoughts on this move?

This is the weekly "Help Style Me!" post, where we can share items we are having trouble putting outfits together with. Elaine (in this
post) says it best, "You know, that thing you
bought because you love it and you keep pulling it
out and then putting it away without wearing it?"

Please
share your J.Crew item (either that you own or
are thinking about getting) that you would love help
creating an outfit with.

Also,
please help out by offering your styling advice. Feel
free to include links to your blog (where you
incorporated that piece) or to Polyvore (where you
showcased an outfit with that piece). Thanks in advance!
:)

This is the weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post (similar to the "Off On A Tangent"
posts), where we can share our finds from other
retailers that have offerings similar to J.Crew
(like Anthropologie, LE Canvas, Gap, BR, Talbots, Ann
Taylor, and the like.)

If you
have recently encountered items that are similar to
J.Crew, maybe you might be
willing to share that information with us
in this post.

Please feel
free to share your story on almost any topic—
including experiences with certain merchandise pieces,
promotions/ offers, in-store visits,
transactions with store associates, etc.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

A big "thanks!" to Slastena, (check out her {amazing} About All and Nothing at All blog), who shared the sneak peek (and related product info) from the upcoming August catalog with us. {yey!} Just click on the image to view it larger.

The items in the top image are as follows: (1) Schoolboy Blazer; (2) Toothpick Jean; (3) Silk Blouse, and (4)Sloane Pumps. It is a pretty basic outfit- but it is also pretty classic.

The second image showcases J.Crew's Italian cashmere collection
including the Fair Isle print ("inspired by a Moroccan tapestry").

Moreover, "thanks!" to A (in this post) who shared the following tidbit with us this past weekend: "At my store they also mentioned that new arrivals will be out on
Thursday and handed out coupons for 20% storewide starting the 17th. I
think it ends the 28th but can't remember."

Can't wait to see the rest of the August roll out from J.Crew! Even
though the temperatures are crazy hot where I am, I am excited to see
what Fall has in store for us.

What are your thoughts? Do you know when
the newest arrivals are expected to be available? Are you looking
forward to the upcoming new arrivals?

Monday, July 15, 2013

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Rosie & GigiOfCa (in this post), who shared the following email & news from J.Crew.

J.Crew is offering customers to take 30% off all sale items (no min) with promo code EXTRA30. This offer expires Friday, July 19, 2013. The fine print includes:

*Offer valid on purchases of final sale items in J.Crew stores and at jcrew.com from July 15, 2013, 12:01am to July 19, 2013, 11:59pm ET only. Offer not valid in J.Crew Factory stores, Ludlow Shops or the 769 Madison Avenue store, at jcrewfactory.com or on phone orders. Offer cannot be applied to previous purchases or the purchase of gift cards and cannot be redeemed for cash or used in combination with any other offer. Offer not valid on third-party branded merchandise. Discount on store purchases applied at register. To redeem online, enter code EXTRA30 in the promo code box at checkout. Limit one promo code per order. Offer valid in the U.S. and Canada only. All sales are final. No exchanges or returns. Terms of offer are subject to change.

I am really happy to see 30% off their sale online. However, as many of you have mentioned, the brick & mortar stores were offering an additional 40% off. I am curious if stores will lower the percentage or keep it the same.

Lastly, I have to agree with so many of you that J.Crew should just offer a mega-percentage off and clear out their sale merchandise. I am kind of surprised to see how many items from previous seasons are still lingering in their Sale section (both online and stores). Just seems like J.Crew would want to move it out to make room for their new arrivals.

Will you be checking out the Sale section? Are there any items you are hoping to see or to get?

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share
among
yourselves. This post is where you can
mention your items and
outside listing/ auction site (like eBay
and eCrater & the
corresponding user ID).

Please note: this posting is not for resellers, retailers or businesses.If
you are a reseller, retailer,
or a business, your comment gets
automatically deleted & you will get
publicly called out on it. :( So
instead of this, simply do not post in
the Weekly Exchanges. Thanks in
advance for your cooperation! :)
Please note that any transactions are independent
of this blog.
(Especially since you will be using
an outside listing/ auction
site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no
dealings or interactions with
any of the potential
communication, listings, or
transactions. :) Moreover, please limit
comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great
(Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do
you have any
items you would like to
swap/sell/share among yourselves
through your outside listing/auction
site?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment?
It just means they are
subscribing to all the
comments (which are then automatically sent to
their email) in that
particular thread. This way they can
stay aware of all the comments
posted. :)

Incidentals

The following blog is just a forum for people to express their thoughts and opinions about J.Crew. Also, please note that most (if not all) of the images come from J.Crew's website and/ or catalog. Lastly, J.Crew is *not* affiliated with this site. :)